The Clippers lost this game on the glass at the defensive end.During Cleveland's torrid fourth quarter, they got three tip-ins over a two minute stretch; sandwiched in between that series of tips were two easy layups – one by Ira Newble and the other from Damon Jones.In other words, the Cavs' shot chart was atrocious.Over a seven possession period, the Cavs converted exactly one first shot and got to the line for a pair of free throws; but they managed to pick up eight additional points by grabbing loose rebounds.I'd break down the 10-0 run except that I don’t think it's terribly revealing to meticulously look at possessions that result in put-backs.Some of it was bad luck -- for instance, when Kaman blocked James' shot and his momentum carried him too far underneath the basket to recover for the loose ball.On a subsequent possession, Ilgauskas dragged Kaman far enough away from the basket – and Z has to be picked up as far away as 18 feet – to open up space underneath.Another was on a 4-1 break that Jones couldn't convert – but the trailer picked up the garbage.On the final put-back, Newble was able to squirt past Ross for the tip.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Clips couldn't execute anything.The Cavs are a remarkably strong interior defensive squad with Ilgauskas, Gooden, Newble, and James – who is as good as anyone at collapsing on penetrators.Tim Thomas spaced on a basic give-n-go with Cassell out on the arc with a negligent hand-off that went out of bounds.Wretched. Maggette got himself wedged on a baseline drive and threw up a ridiculous reverse that resulted in another transition basket for Cleveland.Kaman went an eternity without getting a touch.I don't want to get too effusive – especially on a night when the Clippers laid an egg -- but Kaman is working unbelievably good opportunities for himself with heady decisions.Take the three-point-play against Ilgauskas after he reentered the game in the fourth:

The Clippers dump it into Chris just off the mid-left post against Ilgauskas.As Newble comes down from the foul stripe to double him, Chris spins baseline with a beautiful drop step away from the double-team, switches to his left hand and goes up with a sick reverse layup – and draws the foul.

Again, this isn't about picking up stats leftover from Elton's absence.Kaman has expanded his game, irrespective of whatever additional room he has to maneuver within the post.10 for 15 from the field; once again, he recorded more blocks than turnovers; one foul in 38 minutes; 88% from the line this season.I embarrassed myself during the season preview on The Jones last season by stating that Kaman was among the best centers in the league.Skeets spared me a lashing – there was merely a deafening silence.But it isn't like Chris is merely padding his line with garbage putbacks.Every score tonight with possibly one exception was the result of a skilled move against one of the three best interior defenses in the L.This is real.So include Kim Hughes during your holiday gift-giving barrage.

Given what they have to work with, the Cavs do a nice job with their reserves.Take Cedric Simmons.Basically, the Cleveland coaching staff at the start of the season told the guy, "You have one job on this team: Create space for LeBron in the halfcourt."And you know what?The guy set at least three perfect screens for LeBron in his nine minutes on the court.

John and I got upgraded to front row center court right behind Ralph and Mike.Watching the game is a visceral experience from there – you hear everything…but most of all, you have a direct read on the tone of the game at a given moment.There's an electric force field that surrounds the court during an NBA game, and when you're that close, you're inside it.I'll have more tomorrow on some of our observations.The most notable takeaway – hat tip, John – LeBron James is at least a half-step quicker than anyone else on the court.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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Comments

This game illustrates the Clips' weaknesses: you can't win with Thomas playing 38 minutes. He's too soft defensively and on the boards. And the team as a whole doesn't have the defensive chops to take a good offensive team out of their game. And can somebody on this team please box out?

They were more hungry to win than to lose. Clippers wanted to go home & didn't care much. Looks like the whole team is revolting against Mike Dunleavy for preventing them from playing their style of game which DUNLEAVY doesn't like.

ruben PATTERSON played big role in Clipper wins. Let's not forget about that. Yes, Mobley too. Kaman is unbelievable. His mind was so clear, even Maggette couldn't provoke him.

Does anybody out there know somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody that can put a hit out on Tim Thomas? It's gotten to the point where I don't even complain about him, I just shake my head and repeatedly mutter, "Fuckin Tim Thomas" over and over and over again.

Let's not blame Tim Thomas. He can help us win if Dunleavy KNOWS hot to use him effectively. Like making him circle 3 pointer lane & make shots when he receives passes while he's in rhythm. Right now Clippers offensive assualt is doing assualt on itself. It's a Cobbled-up offense out there and their coach can't see it. Too bad.

My opinion, it was on dunleavy. After the clips take the lead with 1:30 left in the third, he takes kaman out. Why? He had only 1 foul, which he picked up in the fourth? Keep the caveman in the game and build the lead a but more...

Completely agree on the Kaman observations--that's the headline coming out of the weekend. Let's not be short-sighted. This isn't just picking up some opportunities because of Brand's absence, hitting an extra gimme lay-up to raise the fg%. This is "new Kaman" (like "new Larry" on Curb Your Enthusiasm). It's not just huge rebounding nights when the ball bounces your way. Games of 26, 25 (out of 79 against the Pistons) and 21 (against 7'3" Z and Cav interior D) in 6 games. He broke out the short jumper against Z, and it looked very good. A big factor is being in great shape, and I think his improvement can be compared to Brand's surprise upgrade in 05-06, and he just seems faster and more energetic than ever before. Kaman, of course, had room for a lot more improvement than Brand. It's unreal. And after this weekend, I really don't think it's a fluke and he's suddenly going to disappear, go into a funk, and be horrible. Instead, I think he's going to keep getting better and more confident until Brand comes back, and then they're going to be a handful for opponents and very tough to stop. "New Kaman" is a fantastic development for the Clippers' longterm prospects, and he looks like he might well be worth the money in his contract.

Davis should be starting in front of Thomas. Thomas will get better looks when Mobley comes back, and Knight is on the floor. Thomas, Ross, and Cassell together can be deadly when Cassell isn't hitting, and Thomas doesn't get wide open in the same way. Thornton for Ross will help too. Start Davis, and get him and Thornton more minutes.

If Kaman becomes a force who can draw double-triple teams like this, we'll be fine. Thornton has to develop little faster. We can't afford to wait any longer. Powell & Dickau aren't a good fit with Clips. That's the downside.

I blame Dunleavy for this whole thing. Why would you keep Tim Thomas in when he obviously is playing like shit?! Is he supposed to 'play it off'?? And what happened to Ruben?!?! How come hes not playing?? All these freakin questions. All I was thinkin throughout the 4th was, Man, we really could use Elton on the 4 with the way Kaman has been playing. Injuries are gonna be life and death for us this year.

Davis? I don't even want to see him on the court. He is useless. Say what you will about Tim Thomas, he is a legit perimeter threat, and has won a few games for the Clips by getting hot late in the game.

Davis sucks. That turn around jumper is ugly, stupid and, oh yeah, he never makes it.

FYI- just to remind everyone that essentially it was MD who turned Chris Wilcox into Tim Thomas. Wilcox was sent to Seattle for Radmanovic, who then signed with the Lakers. The Clips knee-jerked into T2. I know which one I would rather have on the team as we would not be having this discussion right now.

I hear you all on TT... but were we all talking this much shit during a 4 game win streak where he was hitting everything? I was at the game against Seattle where he nailed 3 3PM in a row and he can have off nights. Look at Sammy.. dude started last night 1 for 6 or some shit like that. Our offense was TERRIBLE for the first quarter and a half. Plus I almost threw my TV out the window in the 4th I think it was, Kaman was posted up in great position on the block, and QRoss decides he's rather drive into traffic and get his weak shit tossed by Lebron and 3 other Cavs instead of feed Kaveman. Good thing was that right before the TV timeout Kaman was yelling about it to the coach. Glad to see he has heart enough to want the rock now. Just my .02

Q Ross can'r score, and on Sunday night he looked lik he was trying the Corey Magette-slashing approach and he can't finish at all the way Corey did. I cringed early in the game when the Clips had a 3 on 1 break with Sam leading and Corey and Q on the wings and he passed it to Q who blew the finish and turned it over. I realize we may need him since TT is a defensive liability, but let's play Ruben more than Q because I think he is better defensively and much better on the boards which killed us sunday night.

I'm still excited about this team!! Kaman is proving to everybody that he has mad skills!! Kaman is the best center in the city of LA whether you like it not, its the truth!!!

People, we all have a right to our opinion but Dunleavy has been doing OK with what we have. I will start with taking Kaman out, you had to be at the game to see the dude needed a break. He wanted to rest him for the 4th period. Now Tim, honestly who else are you going to put out there Ruben? Ruben was trying to post up everybody but he kept getting his shot blocked or would lose the ball. He was a liability in the offensive side and he was not doing a good job on the defensive side. Thornton needs to be more aggressive, I mean dude gives up the ball as soon as he gets it. Davis is another dude that has regress, instead of showing the coach that he deserves minutes he is demonstrating that Elgin needs to shipping off atleast for some cheddar!!

I know that Cassell is a good offensive player, but he needs to recognize that Kaman is the #1 option, and Maggette is #2. In my opinion Cassell is taking too many shots at critical times of the games and not converting. People let's keep supporting the squad!!!

While I agree that J's comments are incorrect, the Clippers are better when Ruben plays more minutes than Q (sorry ClipperMike, but you need to get right). Let's look at the stats. Game 1 - Ruben didn't play, but Q, yeah, 2 points and 2 turnovers in 25 minutes doesn't really scream reliable starter. Games 2 & 3 Ruben plays more than Q and the Clips win (we beat the bulls when Q played 1 minute...sure they are a slumping offensive team but you can't say Ruben has no D when he helps stop them). Skip to games 5 & 6 and Q plays ten more minutes at least in each game, and look what we have, clipper losses. I like Q, don't get me wrong, but why mess with something that worked when we were winning. I blame Dunleavy for changing things up, don't fix it if it aint broke.

John R - if anyone is a troll, it's you my man. You included my name in your list because you don't like the fact that I routinely take you to task for your factually incorrect comments (like those in your post above). Since you've oft-stated on Clipper Nation that you think this board is composed of losers, why would you bother to post here? Oh, maybe . . .

Everyone - John R's self-appointed role here is to defend Q and Dunleavy at all costs. Naturally, he's having a difficult time with that.

Btw, I thought that John R was never going to post again once the team picked up Ruben. What happened?

Kevin's posts are great but it's too bad that there's gotta be some high school bs in here. I'm not the most eloquent poster by any stretch but all this tit for tat crap really blows.

Dun Sr., Rub, Q and TT may all be suspect but I'm gonna look for the positives where I can and enjoy this year the best I can. I'll be surprised if 'we' can make the playoffs but still looking foward to seeing what shakes out.

And besides all that and maybe most importantly; I've got Kaman on my fantasy team and will be looking for his numbers to stay sweet.

Looks like we're getting New York at the right time. Marbury just left the team, said Isiah gave him permission. They are a total mess right now.

Well, Thomas left the impression on Tuesday morning at a shootaround that Marbury had left on his own, and that he had hoped his point guard would return for tonight’s game with the Phoenix Suns, or perhaps re-join the team in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Surprise, surprise: Someone with the Knicks isn’t telling the truth.

“No, I’m not coming to L.A. as of now,” Marbury said in the text to the Post.

this thing about kaman growing up on a chicken farm is a lie.i should no ime his cousein and i grew up with him.he lived in the city.the closes thing to a chicken farm was my house in byron center mi.at least they got the pain in the but part right.i used to get introuble for things he did.for example one time him and his dad leroy came out to my dads and we had a fire going in side a 55 gallon drum.he started throwing paint cans into it and they exploded.he ran of and when my dad and his came out of the top of the barn i was the only one standing there.so i got the spankin.

It's funny. Many teams including Superstar Gilbert Arenas started their season losing first 5 games.

Good news: We are the same team even without Elton. That's a big improvement. And we lost 2 games(against Eastern Conference finalists).

Bad News: This team is no better than the one Darius Miles & Alvin Gentry left behind in terms of attracting fan base & producing winning season. Alvin Gentry could have taken his team to post season if he used EARL BOYKINS to win few close games.